Bears add veteran center de la Puente

The Bears are signing Brian de la Puente with the idea he will be the top backup on the interior offensive line this season, but he might be a starter-in-waiting now that he’s reunited with offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer.

De la Puente, the Saints’ starting center the last three seasons, agreed to terms Sunday on a one-year contract for the minimum-salary benefit with the understanding he is coming in to play behind starter Roberto Garza, a captain and the leader in the offensive line room.

Options were limited for de la Puente, who turns 29 next month, as the free-agent market was tight for centers. He picked a situation in which an opportunity could present itself in 2015. Garza, 35, is also on a one-year contract and eventually the club will replace him.

An undrafted free agent from Cal in 2008, de la Puente bounced around at six stops before finally sticking with the Saints.

“(Kromer) ultimately gave me my shot in New Orleans and to be able to get back with a coach that you have a good relationship with and you learn a lot from is unique,” de la Puente said. “I couldn’t be more excited.”

He made $2.02 million with the Saints last season, but they were looking to re-sign him for less and put him in a competition with Tim Lelito for the starting job. He also had an offer to be a backup for the Lions. The Bears will give de la Puente a $65,000 signing bonus, the maximum in a minimum-salary benefit deal, and guaranteed $100,000 of his base salary.

“You never know what you are going to get (in free agency),” he said. “Fortunately, I fell into a position where I am with a team that is on the upswing and is a winning team. That is big for me, to be on a winning team. I am just excited to play for coach Kromer, coach (Marc) Trestman and the whole organization.”

Garza, who didn’t miss a snap last season when untested Taylor Boggs was his backup and re-signed for $1.5 million, welcomed the addition.

“Glad we have another guy with experience to help us win,” Garza said.

If all works well, perhaps de la Puente is working with Kromer beyond this season.